Lately I have really been focusing on what it means to be "family". If I am being totally honest, which I always am on this blog, I have struggled with being family since the divorce from my children's father. I am happily re-married, but something has been missing in regards to what I call "family". I'm not sure what to call us. And, I don't even know how to address my answering machine... "Hello, you've reached the Baylis family."(But my kids don't have the same last name as me anymore.) Or..."Hi, you've reached the Baylis/Williams family...". And now it's just... "Hi, You've reached Lincoln and Angie". (That works, because the kids are grown and don't live here anymore.) That's just one example. I never realized until recently what "family" really means and what makes us a family. My friend has been helping me sort that all out, and we came to the realization that traditions are what make us family!
I was talking with one of my blog siestas this morning, Annie's Eyes. She keeps sharing little bits about what she and her family do for their family traditions. They have Sundaes on Sunday! I was not jealous of her, just very interested in the different kinds of things they do that make them a close family. She wanted to start a meme so we can all get ideas and learn what family traditions people have.
My favorite tradition is our Christmas cards. I started this when the kids were young. The picture below is not the first one. For some reason I could not find that one. I dressed them up and took a whole role of film to try to get one decent picture. I remember the first one I took, Meghan had to actually hold John up. He was just a baby. I've done it every year! Only one time did we do it of our family. Someone once asked me why? I didn't want to tell them the truth, that I didn't feel like a family anymore. But, everyone seems to enjoy the pictures of the kids every year! Maybe this year will be different! I want to get a family portrait taken when Meghan is home for Thanksgiving! It's all in the attitude! We are a FAMILY!
Here is one of the first pictures I took.
Here is the one I sent out last year!That's just one family tradition that I love. Most of the others involve food! For some reason when I grew up, food = love! I want to tag my siestas to please do a post about your family traditions. Please go over to Annie's Eyes to sign up on Mr. Linky! They don't have to be about holidays... just special things that you do as a family!
Thank you so much!
Love,
Your siesta!
12 comments:
Oh I love family traditions as well. I also do the family Christmas card and it is so cute to see how much we all change year to year :)
Love ya,
kim
Oh, I love your pictures and reading about what makes a family feel like family! Very touching post, and thank you for sharing your story. I think so many share your feelings and we have to redefine ourselves at different stages. You are a beautiful family. Love you, annie
i really enjoy your post and I can relate to you on how you feel. I never had my real dad so I always felt something was missing. You are so precious...seriously. I love the cards that is what i do with morgan. Also, we have not started any traditions as of yet in my family...but my extended family...our tradition is dysfunction!
:) Thanks for keeping it real and for your sweet comments! love jw
Gladly I will post about family traditions! We are Aggies to the core and all about traditions.
Also I wanted to tell you that I'm praying for your Bible study tonight.
With your intentionality, I know that your family is blessed...no matter what name you go by, blessed by God fits! And I know you bless others on the way.
Love in Him,
holly
I do the same thing with our Christmas cards! It's funny, I'll take so many pictures and usually end up using the first one I took. I love those pictures I think more than the ones we get from a professional studio. It's a great tradition!
That's a sweet tradition to have. I'll try to do a post about one of our family traditions soon. Loved seeing the photos. Both of your kids are photogentic!
Hugs!
Kat
Wat DOES make a family? When I began thinking about that question
I also began to toss out preconcieved notions like satme mother and father, all living in one house, etc. I came to the conclusion that, to me, family are those people who have played together, hurt together, weathered storms together...and keep coming back for more. Family is who we choose to be 'our true selves' with.
I really enjoyed this post and as you can see it caused me to do some thinking.
Stop by my place....I have a "treat" for you!
Hugs!
Kat
I found you from Kat's blog! I loved this post. I think I will begin to explore our family traditions in November and December. Those months are steeped in tradition! I enjoyed coming here, I hope you will come to visit me, too!
Your children are beautiful!
I admire you so much for all you have gone thru and come up smiling!
I love family traditions also!! I'm glad you wrote about them. I hope you guys start a meme. I could get some good ideas.
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